Community Data Link (CDL)

Accountability Software for the Human Service System

“Show what you do;Show how you care”

An opportunity to standardize human services.

A tool to: Collect standard or unique data elements Generate standard, custom and outcomes reports Report agreed-upon outcomes by collecting measurable indicators

Background/Goals:

Vision: create an efficient tool that measures standard outcomes; incorporate into state benchmark goals; enhances communication; encourages shared data

Public-private venture Let user representatives choose start-up technology Let users identify what they need to track/collect and report (based on

reporting requirements or funding source) Create a tool that supports health or social service organizations

who report to one or more funding source/agency Bring efficiencies and standards to the human service delivery

system. Develop standard reports to state agencies or funding sources Designed to interface with other databases (I.e. SQL, Oracle etc.) Use federal and state definitions for categorical types

Software capabilities

Standardized data elements Report outcomes Track

programs risks and assets clients (identifiable and de-identifiable) client needs retain history of clients/services/sessions internal or external referrals individual or family specific details person or provider specific details

Search for providers/resources/case # CDL can count or measure

CDL Key Features

Multiple Family Tracking (one child in multiple families) Tracks and Reports on Risk or Asset Changes Tracks complex family issues Tracks previous family information System edits prevent duplicate clients (SSN) HIPAA-compliant role-based model security (lock-out privileges

for certain users) Resource and Referral Reporting Red Flag indicator prompts user to check notes section (name

change, restraining order, allergies etc.) Agency/Contact Referral Reporting Comprehensive Outcomes and Standard Report Wizard Automatically creates mailing labels

Agency/Contact

Allows users to input referring agencies or contact case worker (i.e. SCF, AFS, Public Health, Mental Health, School, OYA etc.) with accompanying ID used by the agency to identify child within their agency

Examples: MMIS Prime # AB12345A OYA ID # OYA111A Student ID # SK78933-52 CPMS ID # 778899 Dept of Justice # ODJ222B

Any known ID can be searched from the front screen or reported out instantly

Search capabilities

By Family/person Resource (or category of resources) Provider/volunteer Name, Date of Birth or SSN Any case number in the system

Outcomes Measures:

Base line assessments compared with periodic assessments

Changes in Height/Weight Scores Family or individual

assessments

Survey results Program participation

Therapy Workshop Skills training

Community Data Link

Can be used to Standardize reporting Track intake and exit information Report progress Document “no-shows” Report participation levels Report internal or external referral types Measure outcomes

Multiple Family Tracking :

Identifies case status (i.e. open, pending etc.)

Data moves with person through multiple family environments.

Examples: Child in multiple families (ie. Johnny lives with Dad on

weekends; Mom on Monday - Friday.) Child in and out of foster care Young woman in and out of marital relationship or young

woman becomes a new family as a teen parent

Software will track address, contact information and school catchment area for each family or individual

Tracking complex person and/or family issues

Name (or tag if de-identified person)

Date of Birth (I.e. age feeds from DOB)

Gender Social Security Number Address (location and mailing) Person Type (i.e. Parent

Guardian, Youth Dependent, Grandparent, etc.)

Farm-worker status Race/Ethnicity Housing and household type Primary Language (person

specific and family)

Secondary language (and level)

Other states lived Is smoker/prefers non-

smoking provider Marital Status Phone number Income Source Highest education Years in state Insurance Disabled/Special Needs Veteran School Catchment

Demographics

CDL Resources

Comprehensive list of service providers from GOODS database (real-time interface with resource database with technology advancement)

Users may add their own resources such as Lifespan Respite Providers, Child Care Providers or any other individual provider.

Pilot Users: 51 users in Marion and

Douglas Counties Mid-Willamette Valley

Community Action Agency (Head Start, Lifespan Respite, Heating Programs etc.)

Family Relief Nurseries Family Resource Centers Health Dept. Maternal-

Child Program Homeless Program

(School District)

Shelters Child Centers Community College family

and child programs Child abuse programs Alternative education

programs Boys and Girls Clubs Alcohol and Drug Programs Marion and Douglas

Commission on Children and Families

What we’ve learned. . .

Human service system lacks standards. Funding sources have settled for any data but are

increasingly requiring greater accountability; details State agency report categories are not always

consistent (age categories, race-ethnicity descriptions etc.)

Paper forms from reporting agencies need to be updated (Age vs. DOB)

Terminology is confusing (eligibility) Users are discovering new ways to use CDL every

day.

What we’ve learned. . . The software’s flexibility makes it much more robust than

users expected it to be. Service organizations have trouble articulating “what” they do Service organizations often do not understand Benchmark

process or how they fit in. Organizations want to get reports in order to measure their

own effectiveness, but haven’t had the tools We can’t bring “standards” to the industry without state and

county support and leadership To change the way they do business now (slash marks and sticky

notes), incentives are needed State and funding sources must promote automation and efficiency;

dictate standards, specifications and report requirements

What we’ve learned

In-house and user tests have resulted in 26 software iterations in two years to improve functionality, features and stability

Users are desperate for technology support Users are mostly unskilled on computer Large user-based organizations are being controlled

by IS departments (we consider this a good thing, but users don’t seem to understand “why..”)

How we’ve responded

We’ve analyzed their technology needs We’ve become their technology support to ensure

they can test the software (set up networks, corrected mal-functioning hardware etc.)

We’ve taught them how to use their computers and navigate (i.e. What their roller is used for on their mouse etc.)

We can assist them in obtaining Data Conversion Services

We are helping local users better understand “outcome measures, indicators and benchmarks.”

Why we want you to know. . .

We think there are broad implications for state-local communication, standardization and service effectiveness measures

Now that “service integration” is happening, you may want to know there is at least one technology tool that supports it today

We are reaching a critical mass regarding “outcomes” that is close to reality in some areas

We need key knowledgeable contact points within DHS, Community Services, ODE in order to coordinate report and outcome standards

You may want to test it yourself.

Thank you for your valuable time

Walter Reed or Sandra Peterson

(503) 371-4332

1661 Edgewater St. NW #120

Salem, OR 97304

Contact Information

www.oregonresources.com

cdl@oregonresources.com